Wednesday brought Sion to Worthing College for County Cup Game, thought it wouid be a very close affair as a number of their players have been my club players and the team plays in the local league together. Shannon Brightman got off her sick bed to play against her old school, which we were very grateful for.

The game started in a manic fashion as is so often the way when both teams know each other, mistakes all across the court but Worthing managed to take advantage of outstanding defending by Hannah, Shannon, Beth and Sarah which gave the Worthing shooters plenty of opportunities to score – not all of which were taken but at quarter time Worthing had taken a good lead of 9 – 3 which really did not reflect the quarter. The second quarter Worthing continued to dominate defense and the shooting improved, heads in the Sion team went down and Worthing had a lead of 19-7 at half time.

Changes were made with Emily Begley being replaced with Abi Tipler and Lana Brynes gave way to Louisa Maynard. With the changes Worthing took a while to settle in the attack but the defense stood firm and the quarter ended 27-11. Realistically the game was over but further changes in position were made to allow Emily to learn from Katie Pearcy, final score 36-17.

To be fair to Sion, the score did not reflect the game and the players knew they had been in a game. Defensively we were excellent, movement in the attack was better than Sions but still a lot of work to do. Brighton College will be a much stiffer contest in the next round.

Worthing welcomed a tough and competitive Tottenham u19s to Wick FC in the BCS Elite League. This game promised to be the toughest test so far for Worthing with no Charlotte Owen, Paige Adams and Kat Hardie through illness and injury. The game started with Worthing trying to play but Tottenhams pressing of the ball high up the pitch was causing Worthing some problems . This also meant the game became stretched with both side attacking at pace but not recovering quick enough to defend. Although Tottenham’s pressing was causing problems to Worthing’s attempts to play out from the back they were not threating the hosts goal. Worthing on the other hand forced a great save from Tottenhams keeper and hit the woodwork twice.

After half an hour Tottenham changed formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and this proved to be the turning point as it allowed Worthing to play out from the back more easily and gain a foothold higher up the pitch which they never relinquished for the rest of the game. Pressure was building on Tottenham but with Lucy Somes and Darcey James sitting too deep in central midfield Worthing where unable to press home the advantage.

0-0 at half time.

Worthing started the second half like a train with Aliss Pidduck getting behind the back 4 inside the 1st 20 seconds from the resulting clearance Somes, now playing higher up the pitch, picked up the ball on the right 30 yards from goal. She ran down the right beating two players before smashing the ball across the 6 yard box for Becky Simmonds and the Tottenham defender to battle for, the ball rebounding off the unfortunate defender to make it 1-0 to Worthing.

Worthing where quickly on the attack again with Somes down the right taking on the full back before cutting along the 18 yard box leaving 4 defenders in her wake before firing a left foot shot against the woodwork with Pidduck pouncing on the rebound the fire past the diving Tottenham keeper. Within minutes Simmonds won Worthing a penalty after sneaking down the blind side of the defender and being taken out by her attempts to clear the ball. Jade widows stepped up to take the penalty firing it high into the top corner only for the Tottenham keeper at full stretch to tip it over the bar this was to be the start of a duel between Widdows and the keeper over the last 30 minutes.

Worthing became visibly more confident and passed the ball round a tiring Tottenham side. Widdows again got in behind the Tottenham defence from a wonderful cross field pass from Kirstin McGregor this time she managed to slot the ball past the onrushing keeper. 3-0 Worthing with them now firmly in control of the game. Widdows had a fantastic 1st time strike from a corner when the ball was laid back to her after it was partially cleared only for the full stretch goalkeeper to tip it round the post for another corner.

Darcey James added a very well taken 4th not long after finishing off a good move from the team which again saw her 1 on 1 with the goalkepper and beating her with power. 4-0 and game over.

Widdows twice more stung the gloves of the Tottenham keeper before the final whistle both strikes made on the run and on the angle. Ashleigh Kirby also brought out a fantastic save from the Tottenham keeper who tipped over from a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner.

The final whistle was blown on a very professional performance for Worthing.

Result: Worthing 4-0 Tottenham

Scorers: OG, Aliss Pidduck, Jade Widdows and Darcey James

Player of the match: Katie Burling for her tireless running in centre midfield.